Present:
Mrs Aylott (Chair in absence of Mr Senior), Mrs Adams, Mrs Elphick, Mr Hardy, Mrs Hathaway Mr Lay, Mr Sale, Mr Watson and Mrs Williams. Mrs Sharp-Clerk. 4 Members of the Public

Public Forum
Mr Hodgson enquired as to whether the Parish Council had been in contact with the new Airbase owners, Urban and Civic. Clerk advised that no contact details had been sourced as yet but she would check at the Airbase before the next meeting to try and source a contact.

166. Apologies for Absence
Apologies received from Mr Senior, Mr Pickering, District Councillor Keith Baker and County Councillors Laine Kadic and Sir Peter Brown.

167. Councillors’ Declaration of Interest for items on the Agenda
None

168. To sign and approve minutes of previous meeting held on 26th January 2010.
Minutes for meeting on 26th January 2010 proposed by Mr Hardy, seconded by Mr Watson.

169. Heritage Bridge-Update from Clerk
Clerk advised that since work had been done on the Bridge in December, there had been numerous incidents of bricks falling from the Bridge. She had contacted Cambridgeshire County Council who had advised they had not intended to repair this until sometime in May. Clerk has been in touch with a specialist from the Concrete Society who had agreed to come and take a look at the Bridge and write a report, after which the Clerk would report back to CCC in order to attempt to get the repair brought forward.

170. A14 Re-alignment-Update from Mr Watson
Mr Watson advised that he had received a response to the Parish Council’s objections over the proposed re-alignment of the A14. He had been advised that due to the concerns over weight restrictions, there was to be a public inquiry held, to which the Parish Council would most likely be invited to attend or send comments to. Mr Watson would advise the Parish Council of the date when received.

171. Alconbury Housing Development
The Clerk reported that an email had been received from a company called F E Peacock who was enquiring as to the “housing need” in the village. HDC had not received any enquiry and advised they would not be keen on new build schemes in the village as the need for a car for potential residents would not be environmentally friendly.
There was a general discussion on housing needs in the village and all agreed that whilst the Council did not feel there was a need for any new houses, there was no need to act until an official planning application had been received.

172. Community Orchard
The Clerk reported that the planting day on the 31st January had been a great success. The Parish Council wished to thank everyone for their hard work, especially former Clerk Sue Lancey, Roger Read and Bridget Halford.

There are approximately 100m of hedging and 5 trees still to be planted, so a 2nd planting day has been arranged for 7th March. Bridget Halford from CCC has offered to do a Press Release and the Council agreed that this was a good idea in order to promote the Orchard.

173. Allotments - Mrs Aylott
Mrs Aylott advised that the perimeter marking had been completed and permission had been given to cut back the hedges and trees on the land to enable the full 3.5 acre to be available. A 3m wide pathway has been left on the outside of the allotment area as the public footpath, however, the left hand side of the south perimeter is to be blocked as this is not a public right of way.

The Council agreed that approximately £500-£600 is made available from the reserves for temporary fencing to be purchased to mark out and protect the area. This would be re-sold onto tenants to use on their own plots once the permanent fencing had been erected. Mr Lay was in the process obtaining fencing quotes and applying for funding.

Mrs Aylott advised that as lease holders for the land, it was the Parish Council’s responsibility to provide water. Until funding is granted to provide either a bore hole or mains water, it was agreed that the Parish Council would provide a water butt for each plot. Mrs Aylott also reported that AAGA had sent out the tenant agreement documents to all potential allotment tenants, to enable them to read the agreement prior to signing on 6th March.

174. Youth Group - Mrs Aylott
Mrs Aylott reported that there had been a Youth Group committee meeting on 1st February. At the meeting, a new Vice Chair, Roger Sale had been elected, and a new Treasurer, Esther Coles (who would be working alongside Liz Adams).

It had been agreed at the last Council Meeting that there would be £500 given to the Youth Workers from the reserve funds in order to purchase new resources and fund new activities. There was also to be £100 cash given to Esther in order to cover incidentals on a day to day basis.

Mrs Adams reported that there had been 4 new volunteers in attendance at the last Youth night. It was agreed that there should be another article in the next newsletter in order to try and recruit volunteers. It was also suggested that the Clerk put notices up in the Village.

Mrs Aylott advised that a letter had been prepared to send out to parents of the older children. This was due to the increasing numbers of children “hanging around” outside the hall on Youth Nights and climbing over the fences in order to avoid the entry fee. It was agreed that parents needed to be informed that whilst they believe the children are at Youth Nights this was often not the case and the Youth Workers could not be responsible for those not in the hall.

175. Parish Plan - Update form Mr Hardy and Mrs Williams
Mr Hardy and Mrs Williams reported that they had been through the Parish Plan and updated as necessary. This had already been sent to councillors who all agreed that it was well amended and they were happy with it. Mr Hardy agreed to finalise the amendments and send the final document to the Clerk in order for the Clerk to send back to ACRE.

176. Clerk Training
The Clerk reported that she had received information from Jackie Wilson at CANALBS. The initial Clerk training with her was more cost effective and more convenient. All agreed that she should book this ASAP.

177. Charity Cricket Match
Clerk reported that ASSC had given 2nd July as a provisional date for the Charity Cricket Match. All agreed that this would be fine and would not clash with any other events known.

178. Committee Reports
(a) Clerk’s Infrastructure Report
Churchyard: Nothing to report
Village Green: Nothing to Report
General: Path along Spinney Lane was in poor condition. Clerk to speak with Tony King at Highways Agency. Also, Clerk to chase Paul Verbinnen in reference to the slippery footbridges along Polecat Lane.

(b) Planning Applications Received:
1000071LBC/1000070FUL-Both applications relating to one property. Request to erect conservatory at 37 High St, Alconbury, Cambs, PE28 4DP-No observations noted

Applications determined by Huntingdonshire District Council/Appeal
0901584FUL- Installation of canopy over courtyard between 2 classrooms and replacement of 5 windows and cladding at Alconbury Primary School, School Lane, Alconbury, PE28 4EQ-Permission Granted.

(c) Bramble End - Monthly inspection: Carried out by Mrs Williams, nothing to report.

Bramble End - Re-development:
Mrs Williams reported that she had attended a site meeting with the contractor and work should be starting around 1st March. The redevelopment was expected to last 3-4 weeks and there would be a security fence around the playground whilst this was ongoing.

Mr Watson raised concern about the possible extra costs incurred for secure equipment storage and advised that Mrs Williams should get an approximate cost from the contractors in advance.

Clerk agreed she would contact WREN in order to inform them that the works were starting soon and would also contact them before any press release went public.

179. Request for sponsorship of Church Flower Festival
The Clerk reported that there had been a request from the Church for sponsorship of the Flower Festival from 1st-3rd May. Mrs Elphick advised that she was aware the cost of the flower arrangements was very high and it was felt by all that Project 21, which the Festival is being held in aid of, was a very worthy cause. All agreed that the Council should donate £100.

180. Request for links on website to Church Services and Memorial Hall
All agreed that the Parish Council should include links on the website to future Church Services and also a link to the Memorial Hall website.

181. Correspondence
SHLAA Housing letter from HDC - Queried land identified as being owned by church commissioners.
Complaint from resident about parking in Village - All agreed that Clerk should send letters to the relevant car owners.
Request from Resident for dog waste bin - Clerk to investigate whether HDC would empty a dog waste bin at Bramble End
Info from Alconbury Over 60’s club in relation to last month’s request - All agreed that a donation of £250 should be given in accordance with previous year,

182. Responsible Finance Officer’s Report
Cheques for signature:
- Demon – Web Hosting Feb 10 (paid by D/D) - £11.50
- Youth Group-£500 from reserves
- Youth Group-£100 cash for incidentals
- Jackie Owens-Youth Group-£259.25 (ALREADY AGREED AND SENT)
- Jo Sharp-Clerk Salary for February-£450.57
- Sue Lancey-Salary for February-£254.08
- Memorial Hall Rental-Youth Group-£91.75
- David & Jillian Ayres-Allotment Lease-£1000
- Glasdon-Globe Lane Grit Bin-£154.71
- Grafton-Newsletters and printer cartridge-£271.03
- Alconbury Allotment Association-£500-Incidentals
- Paul Watson-£81.42- Xmas Light Purchase

Cleared Balances:
Deposit Account-£32,949.52
Current Account-£6470.88
Youth Group-£412.60
Ball Park Fundraising Account-£1810.81

VAT Return
Clerk advised that she had done a VAT return and the amount to be reclaimed was £1536.75

183. Date of next meeting –Tuesday 30th March February 2010 at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall.

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